Title: Bei’i saiō jōyaku and Others (The Later Treaties with American Barbarians), After 1857. A Collection of Four Related Manuscript Accounts of the Diplomatic Meetings and Experiences with American Envoys, Mainly Townsend Harris
Author: Unknown
Condition: Good
A Late Edo Period, mid 19th century collection of four related manuscript accounts of meeting with and servicing the American envoys who came for the subsequent treaties, namely Consul General Townsend Harris, by an anonymous author.
The first volume begins with the statement that on the 12th day of the 2nd month, 4th year of Ansei (March 7, 1857), Americans came to the Japanese Empire.
The second volume provides information on the USS San Jacinto, a screw frigate which served in the East Indian Squadron.
The third volume is supposedly an account of the reception of Harris in Shimoda in 1857. The person in charge of this reception was a Mr. Inoue, but the book maintains that it is a “confidential report by an anonymous person.”
The fourth and final volume begins on the 21st day, 7th month, 3rd year of Ansei (August 21, 1856), which is the date that San Jacinto arrived in Shimoda, leaving Harris there and continuing to Shanghai
The San Jacinto and Commodore James Armstrong are mentioned quite a few times, the latter of whom was supposed to come back to fetch Harris. Harris himself is mentioned repeatedly in all four volumes.
Four manuscripts in quarto (25 x 18 cm), 17, 7, 7, 9 leaves
These manuscripts are in good shape, with minor foxing and worming to the covers. There are scattered foxing and worm tracks throughout.